Diversity resources and education

The Calgary Police Service is a leader in fostering awareness and understanding, both within the Police Service and between the Service and Calgary’s diverse communities. We are instrumental in preserving the quality of life in our community by maintaining Calgary as a secure place in which to live.

The Calgary Police Service Diversity Resource Team actively engages with Calgary's diverse communities and works closely with the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society and the Centre for Newcomers to educate and meet the needs of newly arrived immigrants. The team provides a variety of programs and presentations within the community. Their specialized knowledge of Calgary’s diverse cultures can help assist with investigations and help obtain successful resolutions to investigations or any other incidents.

The Diversity Resource Team portfolios include:

• Indigenous
• African
• Caribbean
• Latin America
  
• Middle Eastern
• South Asia
• Asia
• Persons with Disabilities 
• Sexual and Gender Diversity

To get in touch with the Diversity Resource team, call 403-428-8399 or email. diversity@calgarypolice.ca.

Diversity education programs

Diversity Education is provided upon request to any community organization, group or protective service. These presentations consist of an overview of the Diversity Resources Team and the resources available for the community. Personal biases and stereotyping are examined in order to recognize the impact they can have on the work that we do.

Hate/Bias presentations

The Diversity Resource Team and the Hate Crime Prevention Team offer one- to three-hour presentations for junior and senior high school students. The presentation provides schools with the skill development, information and resources needed to support an environment that actively addresses issues of hate, bias and discrimination. The presentations help students to identify hate, bias and discrimination, and gives them the skills to deal with these issues and foster safe spaces.

For any questions, or to book a presentation in Calgary, contact:

Kelly Mergen, for junior high students and community presentations.

Deniz Cabarcas, for senior high school students.

You and the Law

You and the Law is a Calgary Police Service 90-minute workshop aimed at helping new immigrants learn about the Canadian legal system, how police here operate and the rights they enjoy as residents of Canada. The workshop is conducted by specially trained police officers and was designed with input from immigrants and several support organizations. Agencies and those who teach ESL classes can book the free workshop to be presented to their students.

The Diversity Education Coordinator is dedicated to the education of Police Service recruits, community groups and citizens.

All sessions include an overview of the Calgary Police Service, followed by discussion of specific subject areas including:

• The role of police in Canadian Society - includes discussion of the municipal police, RCMP and the functions of a police officer
• Criminal Code offences - examples covered are shoplifting, family violence, impaired driving and the consequences of each
• Provincial statutes - includes law involving driving, hunting, fishing and alcohol and the consequences of violation
• Municipal bylaws - includes transit, parking and jaywalking
• Police procedures - includes Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, officer/violator contact and complaints against police
• Crime prevention - includes personal, home and vehicle safety and discussion of programs such as Block Watch
• Employment and volunteer positions - includes recruiting information and volunteer opportunities

For more information on available Diversity Education programs please contact the Diversity Resource Team at 403-428-8399.